ALESSIO'S POV
I speedwalk toward the basement, my heart pounding so hard it feels like it could burst from my chest. I shouldn't care , I know that. But the idea of her being unconscious, hurt because of me, makes my blood run cold.
I storm down the spiral staircase leading to the basement. The door to the room is slightly ajar, a tray of food sitting outside, probably the one maria was bringing her . I step inside and there she is,
On the floor. Cold. Pale. Shivering, even unconscious.
I crouch down, sleeves rolled up.
"Raven…" I whisper, pulling her into my lap. Her skin is clammy, her lips slightly parted, her pulse weak , her arms falling lazily to her sides .
"Raven… wake up." My voice stutters, shaking, as I scoop her up and walk upstairs.
Just in time, I run into Doctor Lee in his uniform.
"Capo… you called," he says, falling in step behind me as I lead him to my room. I kick the door open and stalk to my bed, placing her down gently before stepping back to let Lee work.
I pace silently, hand on my chin. My phone vibrates with calls and messages, but I ignore them.
I don't like this. I don't like the guilt clawing at me. I'm supposed to hurt her, put her in her place, make her fear me, bend and break her, but no. All I want right now is for her to wake up so I can know she's okay.
There's a knock on the door. I groan in annoyance. Everyone always looks for me when I'm not in the mood. The door swings open.
My mother , just great .
"Mom, what is it?" My voice is low, annoyed, my hand on the door , I don't want her to come inside .
"I'm the one who's supposed to ask that, Alessio. What's going on? Matteo was looking for you. You were supposed to meet the Russians." Her voice rises.
"Tell him to reschedule. I'm busy," I deadpan, trying to swing the door shut, but she holds it with her hand and forces herself in.
She stops when she sees Raven unconscious on my bed and Doctor Lee.
"Lady Red," Lee greets with a bow.
My mother just nods before turning to face me.
"What's going on with her?" she asks ,not because she cares, but because she'd rather hear she's dead.
"I don't know...she just passed out ,but she'll be okay," I say, stepping closer to her.
"When ?"my mom asks moving closer to take a better look at her on my bed .
"Few moments after I locked her up in the basement,"i respond, the words burning their way out .
"So you locked her in the basement, and she passes out after a few minutes…..weak and pathetic." My mother snarls with a sick grin.
"Mother. Not now." I warn.
She hums, then turns to leave.
"She'll be awake soon. Make sure she gets enough rest and give her these pills for the next two days. They'll reduce the chances of another panic attack," Lee says, handing me the pills.
"Panic attack?" I ask, placing them on the nightstand.
"Yes. It seems something triggered it… maybe the basement—"
"Your work is done here. Leave." My voice rises, annoyed. He nods and walks out.I hate when people pry on things that don't involve them.
I turn back to her.She shifts slightly mumbling something before drifting back to sleep.
"God I hate seeing you like this..I prefer the attitude..,"I murmer . I sigh my eyes moving over her body still in that red dress . I pull a black comforter over her .
"What are you doing to me, Raven?" I whisper, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
I decide to leave, to give her time to rest. I station one of my guards outside my bedroom door. I lock it and pocket the key.
"No one , especially not my mother , is allowed inside. Report to me when she wakes up."
"Yes, Capo," the guard responds.
I roll my sleeves up, unbutton a few buttons on my shirt, tattoos peeking out, and walk downstairs, lighting a cigar. The smoke curls in the air.
I spot him seated in the living room, arms over the headrest. Julio. What the hell is he doing here?
"Julio… what a surprise," I greet, shaking his hand as he stands. I take my seat in the leather chair, crossing one leg over the other, and pour myself a drink.
"I had to stop by since I was in the area," he says, lighting his own cigar.
"What can I do for you? I'm quite busy," I sigh, dabbing the cigar's ash into my skull ashtray.
"W-well… I wanted to ask about my payment. For, uhmm… Raven." He's nervous.
I cock a brow. Oh yeah, I forgot to pay him.
"You should have called instead of showing up unannounced." My voice is low, deep, it makes him shiver.
"I-I'm sorry, I was just—"
I raise my hand. He stops talking.
I grab my phone and dial Matteo's number. Within moments, Matteo shows up.
I murmur in his ear, he nods and leaves. Moments later, he returns with a black bag full of money.
I throw it at Julio.
He grabs it, excited, his hands shaky and sweating. He unzips it and gasps.
"Y-you're very generous, Capo. Th-this is a lot. Thank you…" He bows, standing.
He walks over to shake my hand. I don't shake his.
"Well, I have a feeling we're gonna be good friends," he chuckles.
I look up at him.
"No. We're not friends, Julio." My tone is a warning.
He nods, stepping back.
I stand, towering over his short, round figure.
"I didn't know you were into redheads," he chuckles, hugging the bag to his chest as he walks away.
I stop.
"Wait."
He turns around.
"What did you say?"
He swallows nervously.
"I… I didn't know you loved redheads… like Raven…"he statters looking at me like this is supposed to be basic information except it isn't.
I go silent, my jaw ticking. Raven has long beautiful black hair.
"Raven has black hair, Julio," I say.